Cladocere remains in recent sediments as indices of cultural eutrophication of Lake Como

Cladocera remains, organic matter, nitrogen, chlorophyll derivatives have been examined in the sediments to follow the trophic evolution of Lake Como. Trophic levels result to be increased in these last ten years in the four basins considered;Bosmina remains register recent and significant increases everywhere, whileSida, Acroperus, Daphnia andChydorus seem to disappear or on the strong decrease at present in the southern basins, more subject to the human pressure. Correlation coefficients are highly significant among organic matter, nitrogen, chlorophyll derivatives and Cladocera remains, giving stronger evidence for the strict interdependence among nutrients, producers and consumers.